Lesley Tuchten Ceramics

23/07/2025

Meet Chimera No. 5, The Squirtle 🐢🐿 — now available at the .

Part red squirrel, part sea turtle… The Squirtle is a one-of-a-kind creation from my Chimeras Series, and it’s looking for a forever home. Sculpted entirely by hand, this curious little guy is equal parts mischievous and ancient — bushy-tailed and shell-backed, like it’s climbed out of some curious folktale.

Handmade ceramic
One-off piece — no duplicates, ever
Available now (Durbanville)

Swing past the gallery if you're in the area — or DM me and I’ll point you to the right place. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

13/07/2025

Biggie meets… Biggie! 💛🐶

This moment made my heart swell — the real Biggie coming face to face with his tiny sculpted twin.

This little guy was my first sculpture to travel overseas ✈️🇬🇧 — a gift from Philippa in Australia to her dear friend Jo in the UK.

From South Africa to the UK kind of via Australia… this piece crossed continents, just like the love behind it. 💫

Thank you Philippa for trusting me with something so personal. And thank you Biggie, for being the perfect muse. 🐾

09/07/2025

Some sculptures feel like they sculpt me back—and Mikka the rescue Shih Tzu was one of them.

Brief: a 7cm sculpture of Mikka, who always knows you're hiding treats.

Here’s how I turned that soft, squinty moment into something you can hold forever.

Swipe to see the whole process—from rough clay to finished piece.

👇

Step 1: Reference photo
It always starts with a photo.
This level of judgement? Iconic.
It’s what made Mikka Mikka.

Step 2: Weigh the clay
100g clay.
The 7cm sculpture always starts with 100g of stoneware clay.

Step 3: Choose a position
This is where the pose is decided—and for Mikka's mum, it had to be that soft, fuzzy loaf shape with the hair just so.

Step 4: Sculpting the rough outline
This is where it always looks really weird. Mikka made me think of the Lorax!

Step 5: Defining all the fine details hiding in the clay
This part takes the longest:
✔️ Those eyes
✔️ That fringe
✔️ The moustache
✔️ That signature scruff

Step 6: Finished!
Here he is—Mikka in clay.
Judging you for not sharing your biltong.
A little moment, frozen in time.

Want your pet sculpted?
Every sculpture is hand-built from photos, by me, in my studio in Riebeek West.

🐾 Memorials
🎁 Gifts
🖼️ Keepsakes

Send me a photo and let’s turn your pet into something lasting.
💌 DM for a price list

07/07/2025

03/07/2025

🐕 Here’s how your pet becomes a sculpture 🐈‍⬛

Step 1: You send the photos

Step 2: I build the base & and we agree on a pose

Step 3: I put in the basic details

Step 4: After a period of drying, I sculpt in fur or feathers, and other features

And at the end, you receive a heartfelt keepsake.

Inbox me your email address for the NEW AND IMPROVED catalogue with prices ✨️🌟✨️

01/07/2025

I just finished the mugs product page on my website and it reminded me of some pieces from the past. Remember that time I got to do a horse for a client? That was amazing! Send me more horses!

Every so often I get a photo from someone, drinking warm things out of their mugs. Most memorable is one of my mugs in the Swiss alps! If you have any goodies of yourself and your mug, please send me them to me! It makes my day! Please also send me your IG handle so I can tag you!

If you want your OWN mug (bunnie owners, where are you?) DM me your email address and I'll send through the BRAND NEW CATALOGUE I promised The Husband I'm putting together today.

Lots of love,
Lesley

27/06/2025

🚨CUSTOM PET ALERT!🚨

This isn’t just a ring bowl—it’s a one-of-a-kind handmade ceramic keepsake featuring YOUR dog, sculpted with love and lifelike detail.

💍✨ Imagine dropping your rings into this every night and being greeted by your beloved pup’s sweet face.
📸 Made to order from your photos.
🐾 Every strand of fur, every tilt of the head—captured forever in clay.

➡️ This one features a scruffy terrier, but I sculpt any breed, any pet.
➡️ Customised JUST for you.
➡️ Limited order slots available.

💌 Want a price list? Drop your email below or DM me directly. Let’s create something truly special for your home.

26/06/2025

Literally paving paradise to put up a parking lot. This is one of the most precious, historic art spaces in Cape Town. Help save Rust-en-Vrede Gallery from being taken over by the City of Cape Town for "development".

Save Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum

26/06/2025

Custom Pet Lovers, This One’s for YOU! 🐾
Meet Crunchie the Cairn Terrier and Jamie the Irish Terrier, immortalized in clay and nestled in their own handcrafted oval ring bowl – the perfect keepsake for your bedside table, dresser, or kitchen windowsill. 💍🍴

✨ This piece is fully custom made to capture your pets’ personalities, quirks, and charm — down to every little tilt of the head and wag of the tail. Whether it’s one beloved pet or a whole furry duo like this, I sculpt each one by hand with love and detail.

(This is not mass-produced. This is art made just for you.)

💌 Want to bring your own pets to life in ceramic form?
Drop your email in my DMs and I’ll send you the full price list and options.

Spots are limited – I can only make a few each month! 🐕🐶

23/06/2025

A little apple, a loyal friend, and a whole lot of love—captured in clay. 🍏🐾

Look at the gorgeous photo Rianda sent me!

This custom ceramic ring bowl was made for Rianda who wanted a daily reminder of her beloved pup and her favourite toy, an actual green apple.

❤️ If you have a pet who means the world to you, I’d be honoured to create something just as special.
✨ Each piece is custom-made to reflect your pet’s personality.

📬 DM me for a price list or to book your custom piece
📦 Shipping available worldwide
💥Limited monthly spaces

19/06/2025

🐩✨ Hand-sculpted with love ✨🐩

Meet this elegant poodle — captured in clay, full of charm, and completely one-of-a-kind. Each piece I create is custom-made to honour the unique spirit of your beloved pet, from their proud posture to their playful quirks.

Whether it’s a tribute to a current companion or a memory of a furry friend you hold dear, I’d be honoured to bring your pet to life in ceramic.

📩 DM me to see the price list or to start your own custom order
🖐️ Handmade with care, from my hands to your home